TCB plans Tk 8,000cr procurement to stabilise essentials market

The state-run Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) has planned to purchase commodities worth around Tk 8,000 crore during the current fiscal year to stabilise the country’s essential commodity market amid a global supply chain crunch.

The main procurement items will remain edible oil, lentils and sugar, alongside additional commodities such as dates and chickpeas.

Initially, TCB plans to source about 50 percent of these products domestically and 50 percent internationally. “If international sourcing proves more competitive and reliable, the corporation may increase its share of overseas procurement,” said TCB Chairman Brigadier General Mohammad Foyshol Azad in a recent interview with BSS.

According to the Ministry of Commerce, the TCB has prepared a procurement plan for FY27 to ensure adequate supply of essential commodities.

Under the plan, TCB intends to procure a total of 22 crore liters of edible oil, 2.20 lakh metric tons of red lentils, 1.10 lakh metric tons of sugar, 14,000 metric tons of chickpeas and 4,400 metric tons of dates through local and international sources.

The TCB has also outlined operational measures to maintain adequate stocks and ensure uninterrupted distribution of essential commodities among consumers.

As part of its stock management, TCB is monitoring monthly demand, allocation, stocks in stores and supplies in the pipeline for major commodities.

TCB’s operational plan also includes strengthening its storage capacity. The corporation currently has 40 godowns, of which nine are owned by TCB and 31 are rented.

The total storage capacity of the godowns stands at approximately 48,370 metric tons, including 13,371 metric tons in TCB-owned facilities and 34,999 metric tons in rented facilities.

The procurement and stock-management initiatives are aimed at ensuring the availability of essential commodities and maintaining market stability, particularly for consumers dependent on government-supported supply programmes.

The chairman said TCB is also working to reduce its dependence on subsidy by procuring commodities at competitive prices and selling some products at modest margins.